About Land

Lower Hewood Farm is in the Dorset hamlet of Hewood, approximately two miles east of the point where the borders of Dorset, Devon and Somerset meet. The 44 acres of certified organic farmland comprises nine fields, a small area of woodland surrounding a natural pond, a ground spring which supplies the farm with water, several small paddocks and farm buildings. A tributary of the River Axe runs across the north end of the farm.

The garden is approximately two acres with large raised beds and a greenhouse for growing vegetables, flowers and fruit. There is a small orchard with several varieties of apples, plums and pears.

Lower Hewood Farm was officially certified organic with the Soil Association in 2002 and since then has abided by the organic principles of health, ecology, fairness and care described by the Soil Association. In practice this means that among other standards, we do not use pesticides or herbicides and animals are fed with organically certified feed. Welfare standards ensure excellent living conditions and health for the animals. The use of antibiotics and other treatments such as wormers and insecticides is kept to a minimum. Our annual inspection requires us to show proof of these practices.

The Soil Association requirements match our beliefs about what is best for the soil, the animals and the environment, and certification is the best way for consumers to ensure that these standards are being upheld.

Land/Livestock

1

Mead

2

Waters Hill

3

Hazel Moor

4

Sandpits

5

Pony/Iris Field

6

Hewood

7

Lower Hewood Farm

8

Greenhouse

9

Farmyard

10

Converted Barn

11

Farmhouse

12

Sheds and Kiosk

13

Garden

14

Back Field

15

Middle Field

16

End Field

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Mead

2.78 hectares

2

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Waters Hill

2.73 hectares

3

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Hazel Moor

3.12 hectares

4

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Sandpits

1. 38 hectares

5

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Pony/Iris Field

1.47 hectares

6

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Hewood

7

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Lower Hewood Farm

8

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Greenhouse

9

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Farmyard

10

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Converted Barn

11

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Farmhouse

12

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Sheds and Kiosk

13

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Garden

14

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Back Field

2.12 hectares

15

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Middle Field

2.39 hectares

16

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End Field

1.97 hectares

Livestock

Sheep

The current breeding flock of 20 ewes originates from seven Jacob crosses that were living at the farm when it changed hands in 2008. Every year we either hire or buy a tup (ram) for breeding and so far we have used Jacob, Suffolk, Dorset and South Down tups. The gestation period for sheep is approximately five months. We introduce the tup to the ewes around 5th November so that lambs are born from 1st April, coinciding with the flush of spring grass.

The population of sheep at the farm varies from about 50 – 100 over the course of a year and is made up of lambs, hogget, wethers and retired ewes. Shearing takes place in late May or early June.

Pigs

There are usually 3 – 5 breeding sows residing at the farm, including Saddleback crosses and pedigree Berkshires. The Saddlebacks are lop-eared, have a distinctive white band around the middle and can weigh up to 280 kg. The Berkshires, a black, short-legged breed with white socks and prick ears are smaller at about 220 kg. The gestation period for pigs is 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days and each sow will have at least one litter of 6 – 12 piglets a year.

Livestock is reared for meat. Products include whole or sides of lamb or pork, fresh cuts and joints, sausages and burgers. These are available for sale directly from Lower Hewood Farm.